Hormonal, endocrine joint diseases belong to the rheumatic form. Rheumatism is basically a collective term for all diseases of the musculoskeletal system with often autoimmune or metabolically induced causes that are not completely understood. The disease affects not only structures of the locomotor system (joints, bones, ligaments and muscles), but also other systems such as the organ system.
In the case of the hormonal, endocrine diseases described here, the cause is metabolic. Hormones are messenger substances that are released endocrine (via glands) into the body or bloodstream and regulate the metabolism. Diseases are usually caused by under- or over-functioning of hormone-forming organs such as the thyroid or parathyroid glands. How this affects the musculoskeletal system and the joints is explained in the following section using a number of very common clinical pictures.
Physiotherapeutic intervention
Physiotherapy normally aims to filter out the cause of disease and symptoms and treat them in order to achieve successful long-term results. In the case of hormonal, endocrine joint diseases, the only thing that can be done is to alleviate the troublesome symptoms, prevent rapid progression of the after-effects and provide information about the disease and the influence of a healthy lifestyle (development of everyday behaviour). The disease itself is treated by doctors and medication.
Physiotherapy is therefore very individually tailored to the symptoms occurring in the musculoskeletal system. The metabolic diseases described are summarized in most cases: In order to mobilize nerves, there are various manual manipulations that stretch the nerve tracts, move them against their sheath and thus keep them mobile. Electrotherapeutic measures can be applied, depending on the goal, to stimulate nerves to conduct, but also to relieve pain, loosen tissue and muscles and increase blood circulation.
Cold and heat applications also have an influence on blood circulation. However, especially in diabetes patients, it must be noted that the feeling of affected skin areas is limited and there is a risk of hypothermia or burns. Tissue and muscle tensions are compensated for by deep fascial techniques or classic massage techniques in order to normalize tension.
Painful joints can also be influenced by electrotherapy. Furthermore, various active and passive measures are used to mobilize, but only as far as the movements are painless. Pain that occurs should never be ignored, but should be regarded as a warning signal from the body.
Against the dwindling bone mass the body needs adapted stress stimuli. Because what is not needed is broken down, what is used and needed is built up. A lack of exercise would support the body in breaking down bone all the more and faster.
Movement however, stimulates the bone-forming cells despite existing illness, which counteracts a progression. Joints also react gratefully to movement, as it is the only thing that keeps them alive by producing synovial fluid and enables sliding movement. So it is important to remain active despite illness. These articles contain further helpful information:
- Joint Pain
- Bone Pain
- Reduction of bone mass
- Muscle pain with tension
- Nerve pain
- Emotional disorders in diabetes mellitus
- Physiotherapy for a pinched nerve
- Agility training
- Coordination and balance training
- Physiotherapy for rheumatism
All articles in this series:
